Stone Eagle

[Peter Ferlicca]

Someone asked me the other day -- he has played Stone Eagle -- and it boiled down to his belief that being in the Palm Springs area hurts the overall standing of the course. His take was that Palm Springs is hurt in having a general reputation for mundane golf design. I brushed that off rather quickly -- but I wonder how others sense it. I think the course is quite good in many areas -- albeit behind the likes of Ballyneal and Rock Creek, two more recent Doak openings.

I told my friend that the very nature of the design at Stone Eagle creates a clear differentiation between what's there and what's available at so many other locations.

IMO the reason Stone Eagle doesn't get more respect is because it is a one of a kind golf course.  Can anyone on this site name a golf course that is comparable to Stone Eagle, it is such a completely different golf course than what anyone expects going in that they are almost shocked when they are done.  When Ballyneal finished they could compare it to Sand Hills, when Pac Dunes finished they could compare it to Bandon Dunes, I personally don't know what Rock Creek could compare too, BUT I can say that when Stone Eagle finished NO ONE could find any course to compare it too.  I find that being a good thing though, it shows how rare and special of a golf course it is. 

[Damon Groves]

Someone asked me the other day -- he has played Stone Eagle -- and it boiled down to his belief that being in the Palm Springs area hurts the overall standing of the course. His take was that Palm Springs is hurt in having a general reputation for mundane golf design. I brushed that off rather quickly -- but I wonder how others sense it. I think the course is quite good in many areas -- albeit behind the likes of Ballyneal and Rock Creek, two more recent Doak openings.

I told my friend that the very nature of the design at Stone Eagle creates a clear differentiation between what's there and what's available at so many other locations.

IMO the reason Stone Eagle doesn't get more respect is because it is a one of a kind golf course.  Can anyone on this site name a golf course that is comparable to Stone Eagle, it is such a completely different golf course than what anyone expects going in that they are almost shocked when they are done.  When Ballyneal finished they could compare it to Sand Hills, when Pac Dunes finished they could compare it to Bandon Dunes, I personally don't know what Rock Creek could compare too, BUT I can say that when Stone Eagle finished NO ONE could find any course to compare it too.  I find that being a good thing though, it shows how rare and special of a golf course it is. 

I agree. Stone Eagle has no comparison in Palm Springs or Scottsdale and truly stands on its own. It is a very special and unique place and am just happy Tom took on the challenge. I am not sure anyone else could have pulled if off and in this case brilliantly.

[Rob Rigg]

Having seen the pics of SE and just returned from the Bend area it saddens me that Wicked Pony is all boarded up right now.

Too bad Tom and team did not put down the course at Brasada Ranch - since it is actually open.

Jake and Hardy could have learned a few things about blending bunkers into the surrounding environment based on what was done at SE.

I love the idea of a "walkers tees" course at Stone Eagle - it has been rated for walkability by a few people and it is a bit mixed.

Walking desert and high desert courses is a lot of fun, especially when they have been thoughtfully designed. The surrounding topography makes it feel so much different than anything you could ever experience in a parkland environment and, I would agree, if anything it sends off a linksy vibe.

[Matthew Petersen]

Sadly, the club has shut down per this article. Golf course will still be maintained.

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100311/BUSINESS/3110362/Stone+Eagle+Golf+Club+in+Palm+Desert+shuts+down